SARS eFiling

SARS eFiling is a free, online process for the submission of returns and declarations and other related services. This free service allows taxpayers, tax practitioners and businesses to register free of charge and submit returns and declarations, make payments and perform a number of other interactions with SARS in a secure online environment.

One of the issues that emerged from SARS customer satisfaction research is that the public often dreads standing in long queues, filling in paperwork and visiting SARS branches. The introduction of an electronic filing system, called eFiling, was to address these issues, while ensuring that the services SARS provides are efficient and convenient for the taxpayer and make use of the most recent technology available.

To access the eFiling Services, you have to be registered. Once registered, eFilers can submit returns, view their tax status and make payments to SARS electronically 24 hours a day. Taxpayers registered for eFiling can engage with SARS online for the submission of returns and declarations and payments in respect of taxes, duties, levies and contributions.

The eFiling service is on a par with international standards, being comparable with services offered in the United States (US), Australia, Singapore, Ireland, Chile and France.

SARS eFiling Services Offered

eFiling offers the facility to submit a variety of tax returns including VAT, PAYE, SDL, UIF, Income Tax, STC and Provisional Tax through the eFiling website.

SARS intends to expand the services offered through eFiling substantially as the service matures.

Benefits of using efiling

eFilers are given more time to make their submissions as appose to manual submissions.

eFilers have a full history of all submissions, payments and electronic correspondence available at the click of a button.

eFilers can receive SMS and email notifications to remind them when submissions are due.

The simplicity of the process results in fewer errors.

As it is an electronic channel, there is a faster turnaround time for most processes on eFiling.

eFilers can use the tax calculator function to receive a pre-assessment of their submission before a final assessment is done.

SARS eFiling

SARS eFiling Registration

To enjoy the full benefits and convenience of using eFiling, the potential eFiler (individual, organisation or tax practitioner) must be registered with SARS for at least one tax type such as income tax. This registration must be done at your SARS branch. The potential eFiler will be issued with an income tax reference number. Once the potential eFiler has been registered with SARS, he/she may then register on eFiling for the use of the system.

To complete the registration process you will need at hand:

Your tax registration number/s

Your ID number

Your personal details

Banking details

Company registration number (if an organisation)

Tax practitioner number (if registered as a tax practitioner)

eFilers will register as:

Below are the various definitions of the profiles that may register on eFiling:

Individuals

An individual refers to individuals operating in their personal capacity.

Tax practitioners

A tax practitioner refers to individuals that submit returns on behalf of other individuals or businesses and are registered with both SARS and an official Registered Controlling Body as a tax practitioner.

An Organisation refers to an individual that submits returns on behalf of the company for which they work.

Note:

An eFiler cannot move between profiles, for example an individual cannot be an organization. You either login as an individual or organization.

Taxpayers may give rights to tax preparers/tax practitioners to access their eFiling profiles. However, they too must be registered and linked to the taxpayer on eFiling. For more on this, refer to the following guide on the SARS website www.sars.gov.za:

Guide for Tax Practitioners on eFiling – External Guide

To access eFiling, the taxpayer must be registered. Registration involves the process where a potential eFiler provides SARS with the necessary information which will be validated and accepted by SARS. The registration process allows the user to obtain login details which should be used when accessing eFiling.

It is imperative that the potential eFiler submits accurate information when initially registering for income tax. This will allow the registration and validation process to be quick. If your details have changed, visit the branch office and provide SARS with your most recent banking and personal information with regards to your income tax. It takes approximately 24 hours after registration for a login to be created and sent to the eFiler.

If invalid information is provided for submission purposes, the registration process may require the potential eFiler to provide additional information. Communication will be made to the potential eFiler in a form of a letter requesting him/her to visit the SARS branch with particular documentation. To enquire on the progress after submission, potential eFilers may call the SARS Contact Centre.

This is to validate whether the information provided is correct and forms part of the process of protecting taxpayers from fraud.

Note:

Ensure that the documents mentioned in section 3.5 above are at hand as the information will be required.

We advise the potential eFiler to visit SARS branch and update his/her personal and banking details with the most recent details before registering for the use of eFiling.

SARS eFiling Registration Form

This information will be updated soon.

SARS eFiling Contact

If you have any queries please contact the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 SARS (7277) between 08h00 – 17h00 (excluding weekends and public holidays). International callers may phone +27 11 602 2093 during 8:00 am and 4:00 pm South African time.

Should you have issues regarding payments or returns that were not submitted through the eFiling website,
then please call 0800 00 SARS (7277) or visit your nearest SARS branch.